Profile of Akintola Williams

Chief Akintola Williams was a distinguished Nigerian accountant who achieved the distinction of being the first Nigerian to qualify as a chartered accountant. His life and career left an indelible mark on the fields of accounting, business, and public service.

Birth and Education Akintola Williams was born on 9 August 1919. He hailed from a prestigious family; his grandfather, Z. A. Williams, was a prominent merchant from Abeokuta, and his father, Thomas Ekundayo Williams, was a colonial service clerk who later established a legal practice in Lagos after training in London, England. He had noteworthy siblings, including the renowned lawyer Frederick Rotimi Williams and the late Reverend James Kehinde Williams, a Christian minister.

Williams’ educational journey began at Olowogbowo Methodist Primary School in Lagos during the early 1930s, the same school attended by his younger brother, Chief Rotimi Williams. He later enrolled at the prestigious CMS Grammar School, Lagos. His pursuit of higher education was supported by a scholarship from the United Africa Company (UAC), which enabled him to attend Yaba Higher College and earn a diploma in commerce. Subsequently, he journeyed to England in 1944 to study at the University of London, where he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce with a focus on Banking and Finance in 1946. His dedication and perseverance led to him qualifying as a chartered accountant in England in 1949.

During his time in London, Akintola Williams was instrumental in founding the Egbe Omo Oduduwa society, with notable figures such as Dr. Oni Akerele as president and Chief Obafemi Awolowo as Secretary.

Accounting Career Upon his return to Nigeria in 1950, Williams began his career in the civil service as an assessment officer with the Inland Revenue until March 1952. It was in March 1952 that he established Akintola Williams & Co. in Lagos, marking the birth of the first indigenous chartered accounting firm in Africa. At that time, Nigeria’s accounting sector was primarily dominated by five prominent foreign firms, and Williams’ firm quickly gained recognition. He offered services to various indigenous companies, state-owned corporations, and played a pivotal role in supporting Nigeria’s economic growth.

The firm’s first partner, Charles S. Sankey, was appointed in 1957, followed by Mr. Njoh Litumbe, a Cameroonian who later spearheaded the firm’s overseas expansion. Under Williams’ leadership, the firm extended its reach to several countries in Africa. By March 1992, the company had grown to include 19 partners and 535 staff.

Demand for Akintola Williams & Co.’s services surged with the implementation of the Companies Act of 1968, which required companies operating in Nigeria to establish locally incorporated subsidiaries and publish audited annual accounts. The push in the early 1970s to encourage indigenous business ownership further boosted demand. Williams’ commitment to excellence led to the formation of AW Consultant Ltd, a management consultancy, and collaboration with Touche Ross International. In 1983, he retired.

Between April 1999 and May 2004, Akintola Williams & Co. merged with two other accounting firms, resulting in the creation of Akintola Williams Deloitte, the largest professional services firm in Nigeria.

Public Roles and Honours Akintola Williams actively participated in the establishment of the Association of Accountants in Nigeria in 1960 and was its first President. He was also a founding member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and contributed to the establishment of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. He served in various public sector positions, including Chairman of the Federal Income Tax Appeal Commissioners, participation in the Coker Commission of Inquiry, and several other roles.

Throughout his life, Williams received numerous honors, including the O.F.R. award from the Nigerian Government in 1982. His commitment to promoting arts, culture, and music led to his appointment as a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in April 1997. The Akintola Williams Arboretum at the Nigerian Conservation Foundation headquarters was named in his honor. In 2011, he was recognized by the Nigeria-Britain Association for his contributions to democracy and development in Africa.

Death Akintola Williams celebrated his 100th birthday in August 2019 and passed away peacefully at his home in Lagos on 11 September 2023, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and significant contributions to various fields. He reached the remarkable age of 104.